Range-keeper.



PATENTED AUG. 25, 1908.

A. T.. DAWSN (k G. T. BUCKHAM. RANGE KEEPER.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.1,1907. 8 SHEETS-SHEET l' M5073, Mp1/ PATENTED AUG. 25, 1908. A. T. DAWSON L G. T. BUCKHAM.

RANGE KEEPER.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.1, 1907.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

2 :i Inventors,

' meygama No. 896,975. PATENTED AUG. 25,1908.

A. T. DAWSON G. 'I'. BUCKHAM. RANGE KEEPER.

APPLICATION FILED IBB.1,1907.

BHEET8-BHBET 3.

PATENTED AUG. 25,'1908. A. T. DAWSON & G. T. BUCKHAM. i

RANGE KEEPER.

APPLIoATloN FILED rBB.1,19o7.

s SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED AUG. 25,'1908.

a T E E H s m.. E vu. H s 8 M u 7. ym .U,.1| 3.? THM. ED GEH & I En! NGN ONm SAM WRw A L D n I A T A N0. 999,975. PATBN'TED AUG. 25, 1908.

A. T. DAWSON 9 G. T. BUCKHAM.

RANGEKEEPER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1,1907

s SHEETS-mir e.

MQW/Mg A. T. DAWSON G G. T. BUGKHAM.

RANGE KEEPER.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.1,1907.

PATENTED AUG. 25, 190s.

s BEBER-SHEET 7.

No. 896,975. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1908. A. T. DAWSON 6r G. T. BUGKHAM.

RANGE KEEPER.

Arrmoulon funn rsn.1,19o7.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

l Il lll UNiTED STATES To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR TnEvoR and superintendent of ordnance works, and GEORGE TiioMAs BUCKHAM, engineer, both subjects of the King of Great Britain, residing at 32 Victoria street, Westminster, in the county of London, En land,have invented certain new and useful mprovements in and Relating to Range-Keepers, ofv Which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to range keepers, that is to say apparatus of the kind which is employed for indicating the variations 'of range or distance between a gun and its target ifi cases where either or both are subject to changes of position affecting such range or distance, the object being to automatically indicate to those in charge of a gun or guns in ships or other naval structures,'the necessary information relating to variations in the range i due to therelative movements between such .ships or structures, and thus enable such varying ranges to be transmitted from the range-keeper to the various guns crews. Apparatus of this kind has already been proposed by us and, stated generally, comprised a graduated dial and a pointer actuated by clockwork which imparted to said pointer a movement that was constantl at any particular speed towhicli the apparatus was set, so that by observing the relative speed or change of osition between the un and the target, t ie operator couldset t e ap aratus to work in correspondence with t at s eed, wherebytlie varying range due to t e chan e in the distance between the gun an the target, Would continue to be automatically indicated by the' apparatus o erating as a range keeper. The dial was aso adapted to be angularly displaced for initially setting the a paratus or for making large variations in tllie indicated range. `\^fith this apparatus we also em loyed which was in ependent of the range keeper, 'for enabling an attendant to transmit from the sending station (i. e. the lace where the apparatus is located) to suitable receiving apparatus situated adjacent to the gun or the range obtained from the aforesaid range keeper; The electrical transmitting and receiving apparatus employed was' of the kind in which a rotary transmitting hand-switcli Specification o! Letters Patent.

DAWsoN, lieutenant Royal Navy, director electrical apparatus,v

guns, the necessary informationrespecting- PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON AND GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM, OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS TO VICKERS SONS & MAXIM LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

RANGE-KEEPER.

Patented Aug. 25, 1908.

Application led February 1, 1907. Serial No. 355,206.

caused electric motors of the step-by-step type, forming part of the transmitting and receiving apparatus, to operate in unison and actuate counting devices which were geared with the armatures of the various motors, the armature of each motor being so connected electrically with tlie aforesaid hand switch that its polarity was changed at each angular movement of the switch, thus causing the armature to ei'form a partial rotation in its magnetic fie d at eacli of'such movements, and to turn its counting device one step through the gearin connecting the latter with the armature. y performing a succession of these angular vmovements the armature and the counting device would be caused to revolve any desired number of revolutions until the required indication apeared in an opening of the transmitter cas- 1ng. The armature was provided with two pairs of poles and two independent windings, Vone for each pair of oles, these windings being connected wit a handvf switch comprising a series of fixed segmentalV contacts over which a rotary contact iece could be revolved by means of a hande on the exterior of the transmitter, so that at each quarter turn of the handle during its revolutions the current would be directed from one to the other of said armature Windings and reverse the polarity of the arma-y ture poles. The receivers were similar in construction to the transmitters exce )ting that they were of course un rovided Witli the aforesaid handv switch. y this arrangement the changes in range indicated by ille range-keeper were read olf b an attendant who then transmitted suc i changes by means of the said hand switch to tlie various motor-counting devices situated adjacent to the different guns.

According to lour present invention instead of employing an independent range keeper and independent transmitting and receiving apparatus controlled by a rotary hand switch by `a se arate attendant as aforesaid, we combine t e said switch with the said range kee erin such a manner that the variations in t e'range indicated by the range keeper can be electrically transmitted directly to the various motor-counting devices constituting the receiving ap aratus. This result is attained by provi ing means for enabling the movement of the ran e-keeper pointer, or of the range-keeper dia to be transmitted to the rotary switch. For this `purpose we preferably provide the apparatus with two mdependent handles which are under the control of separate attendants, the said handles being so constructed that when one is operative the other is inoperative, their operative condition being dependent upon the excitation of electro-magnetic clutches forming part of ap n'opriate mechanism b y which. the said hand es are respectively connected with the dial of the range-keeper and with an additional pointer which we term a following pointer, because its function is to follow the movements of the range-keeper pointer. 'Ihe connection between the aforesaid handles and their electro-magnetic clutches is such that the act of gras ing the handle of the range-keeper dial'or o the following pointer to turn the same, causes an electric circuit to be completed through theeleetro-magnetic clutches appertaining to the particular handle to be actuated, the circuit through the electro-magnetic clutches appertaining to Ithe other handle remaining open and therefore preventing this handle from actuating the rotary transmitting switch. For enabling the pro er clutches to become operative we provi( e a reversing switch which is capable of being set to the required osition according as the movement of the ibllowing pointer or of the dial is to be transmitted to the rotary transmitting switch.

In order to assist the operator in setting or correcting the indications of the dial of the range-keeper, which setting or correcting is effected by the movement of the dial by means'of the aforesaid handle appertaining thereto, we provide an additional pointer termed a correction pointer, which is ada ted to travel in either direction over a gra uated dial in accordance with the movement imparted to the dial of the rangekeeper b the said handle..

In or er that our said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into el'fect we will describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan, and Fig. .2 is a front elevation of theimproved apparatus comprising y the `combined range-keeper and transmitter.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken approximately on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1, the portion inclosing the clock-movernent for actuating the range-keeper pointer being shown in elevation. Fig. 4 is a section taken approximately on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 2, but with the cover plates removed to exhibit the interior. Fig. (i is a. plan ol' a portion' of the range-keeper dial showing certain gearing connected therewith as hereinafter described, a part of the dial heilig broken away to enable thc said gearing to be more clearly seen. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the central portion of the range-keeper dial and arts connected therewith drawn on an enarged scale/so as to illustratethese parts more clearly than in Fig. 3. Figs. S and 8a are fragmentary views illustrating. respectively in elevation and plan a portion of the gearing shown by Fig. 6 more clearly than can be seen in that Afigure. Fig. 9 is also a fragmentary section villustrating on an enlarged scale a part of the gearing shown in Fig. 4 for actuating the range-keeper dial. Fig. 10 is an elevation of a switch which is moved into its closed position when either of the actuating handles of the apparatus is grasped and which for sake of distmction we term the vprimary7 switch. Fig. 11 is a cross-section taken a iproximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 showing the reversing switch which. we term the secondary switch. Fig. 12 is an elevation of the terminal board or plate carrying the cable leading to the receiving instruments said board or plate being shown detached and reversed to exhibit the inner side thereof. Fig. 12% is a cross-section taken approximately on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 14 is an cnd view of a bearing for one of the electro -magnetic clutches. Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating in `a. simplified manner the gearing employed in the apparatus. Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view showing the Velectrical connections and circuits' of the apparatus. Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 18 is a sectional plan of variable speed mechanism, and mechanism for indicating the speed of the range keeper pointer.

A is the graduated dial of the rangekeeper.

B is the traveling range-keeper pointer that receives a motion which will be constant at any particular speed to which the instrument is set by the, operator. Motion of the range keeper pointer is derived initially from a clock-movemcnt which is inclosed in the part (r` ol' the casing of the apparatus and which drives a wheel b (Figs. 3 and 17) through the intervention of the friction roller d and disk rl, said wheel being mounted on the axle b carrying the said pointer B. 'l`he clmd5-movement ycan be rewound at the proper times by the butterlly head c (Fig. 4) such times being visibly indicated by a telltale c which is caused to project from the casing ol' the apparatus by means 'of a pivotcd arm c" connected with the rewinding mechanism of the clock-movcment.

D is the casing inclosing the mechanism for setting the speed at which the traveling pointer B will move under the inllucncc of the clock-movelnent, and D is the handle for operating said speed setting mechanism.

'l he friction roller l ol the speed mechanism is rotatably mounted on a spindle (F and is carried in a carriage. fl mounted on two screwed spindles d* 'lhe spindles d2 d4 are rotatably supported at their ends in frames or side plates d, and the-s indle d is provided with a toothed wheel) d which gears with toothed wheels cF of equal diameters on the screwed spindles d. One of the spindles extends throu h the casing D and is connected to the han( le D', movement of' which imparts a rotary movement to the spindles d4 in the same direction and causes the friction roller d to be traversed towards or away from the center of the wheel b and to either side thereof for varying the speed of movement' of the pointer B in either direction to accord with the rate of increase or diminution in the range. The spindle d* that extends through the casing D has a toothed pinion d gearing with internal teeth d formed on a drum U supiorted on a fixed cylindrical piece d exren ing 'within the casing D. Interposed between the casi D and the drumd10 is a graduated drum d, the raduations of which are visible throu h an o liq`ue opening d in the casing D. T e graduatlons are arran ed s irally ,onV the drum, which latter, in a dition to rotating, also re'ceives a traversing movement, thus enabling lar e and plain readings to be used thereon; e traversing movement is effected by a pin d proj acting-fy internally from the graduated drum d? through a slot d in 'the drum d and into a s iral groove d in the fixed cylindrical piece dil. nurlhe raduations on the drum dUL corres ond wit the speed at. which the range-or distance between the gun and tar et in'- creases or diminishes, and are preferaly ar ranged to indicate the speed in knots. 'I' e above described mechanisms are shown somewhat diagrammatic in Figs. 17 and 18, and form no part of the present invention, but are referred to for explanatoryA pur oses only. 1.

is the rotaryy member of the transmitting switch which controls the circuits leading to the various receiving instruments that 'are situatedadja'cent to the guns for indicating V the` range.-

G is the correction ointer which travels overthe graduated dia G that is situated in a position to'. be readily observed by the'operators who Vwork the apparatus.

H is the primary switch and I is the re verein orsecondary switch.

A are' two parallel spindles which are ada ted to be independently actuated by ha dles A F and which are 'connected .respectively-with the range dial A and' the following pointer F. The dial A comprises a cnrritd b r thc casing of thc nppnrnlns. 'llw inner cnd ol' thc sind slccrcj" is l'nrnisln-d with a worin whtclf" \\'hit'h is .sitnilnr lo thtsaid worin n'hctl ui. Gearing with the worn wheel ai is :t \\'or|n tt vnrritd b r :t slctrc 11"' through whit-h t\tt\nd.\ thc .spindle said spindle beingr nntdc hollon |`or thc rtt'tntinn of a sliding rod n lnrtitndtnr rcitrrcd to. `"Vitli the worin irhtclj cnrs a notntfl t'ttr spindle F, said s )indlt` dilo` tln \pind|t A) being made holllow lorij'hc rcrt tion ol' :t sliding rodAf 4also hereinafter tcltrrcd t.- The inner ends of the said hollow spindle` A F are mounted in 'hearings n` l and carry the body portions of tht` electro nun; netic clutches A Fa'of which thc rotary :trnni tures A F* are respectively connected with the said sleeves adj5 so as to revolve there with. These armatures arc formed or pro-` vided with bevel pinions a7 f7 which gear with bevel wheels asf" of the ari'naturcs ly of other electro-magnetic clutches A F whose body portions are provided with toothedipinions a f for operating the said transmitting switch. The rotary member E .of this switch is mounted on a s indle e that y also carries a toothed'wheel e' w ich engages .'-d'vi'rectl 'wlth t e pinion a through the intervention with the pinion f and indirectly o f an intermediatepinionc (Fi 1'5) so that the said spindle e and the switc member E will revolve in the" same direction irrespective'fof which of the pinions-'a j? is for tht` time being in action. Thus "when the elet'- tro-magnetic clutches a pertaining to the spindle F are in action, t e movement of the following pointer handle F2' causes the following poluterfF and' the rotary member E of thetransmittingi switch to'be actuated simultaneo sly, an when the electro-magn'etic clutc es appertaining to the spindle A are in action, the movement-of thedial handle A* causes the dial A and the said rotary member of the transmittin switch to be actuated simultaneously. T ese clutches ar'e so arranged in the electric circuits including the rotary transmitting switch, that by setting the reversing or secondary switch l into one or other of its extreme positions, the movement of the primary switch H (which is controlled by mechanism actuated from the aforesaid handles) will cause the excitation of the following pointer clutches or of F and adapted to be moved when the handles are grasped.4 I'Icels auf on these levers amfl" engage with sliding sleeves auf having flanges against which the outer or free endsol'intermediatelcversafbear. These intermediate levers are hinged at af15 to the crank portions of the said handles and engage at their inner ends with the aforesaid sliding rods (1j`", which extend through the hollow spindles A F that are actuated by the said handles A2 FL'. The inner ends of these sliding rods project beyond the inner endsof the hollow spiiidlesA F and their` bearings (17' f and are connected with crossheads f1"f"". springs (1.77f17 being interposed between said cross-heads and the bearings rl` j' and normally tending to keep the parts in their inactive position (Fig. 4). The said cross-heads u"f"" are coupled by links (L18 f1 to the opposite ends of an arm h which is pivoted at la to the spider framef of the apparatus and which carries the movable portion l/ of the said primary switch H. When therefore the reversing switch I is moved into theposition to enable the circuit to be closed tliiougli the clutches F3 F, the act of gri pping the lever f7 and the following pointer handle F 2 causes the spring controlled rod f to move the movable portionlh.2 of the primary switch H into contact with the fixed portions r" of said switch so as to electricall` connect these iixcd contacts and permit current to flow to the rotary member E of the. transmitting switch and also to the vsaid clutches, through the reversing or sec'- ondary switch I, so that the actuation of this handle. F2 will work the following pointer F and the rotary member E of the transmitting switch. Current will not however at this time be passing to the electro-magnetic clutches A Ali appertaining to the dial handle A?, because the position of the reversing switch l will not allow of it, therefore even if this` handle. were to be turned it would not impart motion to its clutch, the rotary transmittiiig switch or the dial. On releasing the leverff and the handle FZ, the springf17 returns the. parts to the normal position. and causes the contact of the primary switch H vto be broken thus cutting off the current from the rotary transmitting switch and from the electromagnetic clutches F3 F". As the primary switch H remains open so long as the apparatus is not being operated it will be obvious that there can be lrio-current passing through the windings of the armatures of the various motors used for actuating the receiving instruments, and that therefore there is no liabilitv of over-heating during such time. It will also be. obvious that the following pointer F, or the dial A, and, colisequently7 the rotary transmitting switch can not be moved, without current passing through the rotary transmitting switch, and the motors of the receiving instruments and that therefore any movement ofthe said following pointer l" or said dial A must be correspondingly indicated at the receiving instruments.

The correction pointer G is carried by a spindle f/ upon which is loosely mounted the body port-ion A7 of an electro-magnetic clutch which is similar to those above referred to and is arranged-,iii circuit with the dial-clutches A3 AG. rlhefrotary armature g of this clutch A7 is affixed to the said spindle g and revolves therewith alrainstthe, resistalice of a spring g2 which normally tends to keep the pointer G in the zero position (Fig. 2) and operates to return it to this position when current ceases to flow through the windings of this and the other electroeniagnetic clutches in circuit therewith. The said body portion A7 of this clutch is furnished with a toothed wheel gi which is geared by an intermediate toothed wheel (f with a pinion g". spindle g having at its opposite end a bevel pinion (/7 that gears with a ring of bevel teeth a" on the back ofthe dial A. When the'said correction-pointer clutch A and the clutches A3 A are electrically excited, the rotation of the. dial-handle A2 moves the dial A and the correction pointer G simultaneously. When the said dial-handle A2 is liberated by the at* tendant, the. current is cut otf from these clutches by the opening of the switch H, and the correction pointer G returns to its vzero position under the influence of the aforesaid controlling spring g2. The aforesaid electromagnetic clutches comprise, in the example shown, a cylindrical body portion and a rotary disk or armature as aforesaid. All of the said clutches-being similar in construction We nee-d only describe one of them viz: the clutch A3. with a concentric cavity to receive the windings or bobbin of wire al for the exciting current and has at the end remote from the armaturetwo collect-or rings a7, to which The body portion is formed I the ends of the bobbin of wire are respectively connected. The current is supplied. to the collector rings by brushes (L21 carried by two hinged arms L22 which are pressed towards the collector rings by a spring (L23. VVhe-n the current.. passes along the. windings al", thel body of the clutch becomes niagnetized and grips the rotary armature, whereby the body and armature will revolve together when the handle A2 is turned. When the current cease-s the clutch body loses its magnetic condition and if revolved will move without the armature and therefore will be unable to effect the driving.

The electric circuits of the apparatus are illustrated iliagraininatically by Fig. 16. 'lhe rotary transmitter switch has a central contact ring EX and a series of four segmental contacts El E2 '1 E* coneentrically arranged with respect to the. ring EX and communicating electrically through contac-ts jl j j* at the bottom of the terminal box J with the motor-receivers hereinbefore referred to. One of the fixed contacts 713 of the rimary switch H is connected electrically with the ring EX and with one (viz. I) of the Contact segments of the seeondarv switch I of which there are three vizz-1 I2 I. The other of the fixed contacts 7L of the primary switch H is electrically connected with the 4contact j5 of the terminal box J. The remaining contact j of the terminal box J is electrically connected with the terminal board. L. With this terminal board L is connected one end of each of the windings of the various electro-magneticl clutches A3 A A7, F3 F '5. The other ends of these windings are connected with the segmental contacts If I3 of the secondary switch I, i. c. the windings A3 A A are connected with the segmental contact I2 and the windings F" F with the segmental contact I3. It will therefore be seen that when the contact arm i of the secondary switch 'I is moved into a position towards the left to connect the segment-s I1 I, the closing of the primary switch H by grasping the following pointer handle FL will close the circuit through the windings of the electro-magnetic clutches F3 F and thus excite said clutches whereby the rotation of the said following pointer handle will cause the rotary member E of the transmitting switch to be revolved in accordance with the movement of the following pointer and will thereby o crate the motor-receivers accordingly. f on the other hand the contact arm iof the secondary switch I be moved to the right so as to electrically connect the segments I I2, the circuit including the windings of the electro-magnetic clutches F F will be broken and the circuit including the clutches Ai* A A will be completed by the closing of the primary switch H when the dial handle Al yis grasped, so that the electro-magnetic clutches A A A7 will become excited. Upon turning this dial-handle, the dial will be actuated to an extent which will beindicated by the correction pointer G, and at the same time the rotar f member E of Vthe transmitting switch will) be actuated to a corresponding extent and operate the motorreceivers accordingly, thus causing the indications exhibited by the counting devices of the said receivers to be increased or diminished so as to add to or subtract from the range indications that have been previously transmitted to said receivers and their counting devices by the movements of thc following pointer F.

\Ve prefer to allix to the dial A a perforated screen or ring A through the perforations of which thc range tigurcs arc visible. Thcsc igurcs arc engraved upon a displaceable peri )heral ring A carried by the said range dia and are arranged in several series representing dill'crent ranges, any one of which one series is to be transferred to anotherv series, we provide for the said shifting to be eil'ected automatically by the movement of the following pointer F. This is accomplished in the example shown by providing the hollow spindle or sleeve f2 of the Ysaid following pointer with a disk f having at an appropriate part of its periphery, two teeth f25 (Figs. 6 and 7) and one space, the remainder of the periphery being of two diameters, one corresponding with the top 0f the teeth and the other with the bottom thereof. this disk f2* is a toothed pinion fl which at the pro er times imparts motion to the aforesait graduated peri )llera-l ring A through the intervention of an intermediate toothed wheel or sector If?" engaging with teeth on said periphera ring. 'lhe said pinion f2 has alternately broad and narrow teeth so that two of the broad tccth will lie upon the larger diameter ol' the disk f" and a narrow tooth on the smaller` diameter. the broad teeth acting as stops to prevent the toothed wheel or sectorjT and thc grad uatcd peripheral ring A" from shifting relatively to the openings in the )erforated screen A", except at such times when the following pointer F reaches the limit of the indications of a. particular series of range figures. The continued movement of the following Vpointer F in the same direction, then brings the two teeth of the said disk f into engagement with the pinion f2 thus actuating the latter and causing it to move the intermediate toothed wheel or sector j"27 su'lliciently to displace the graduated peripheral ring A the requisite distance for exposing, the next ensuing series of figures through the openings of the perforated screen A".

For the purpose of enabling all the counting devices of the motor-receivers to be rcturned to zero for correcting errors that may arise in the readings indicated by said counting devices, we have shown the dial A driven by means of frictional contact; that is to say 'orking in conjunction with ioo it is held upon its hollow s )indle or sleeve 11" by a spring washer a'34 ig. 7) contained within the countersunk boss a and interposed between said boss and a screw init ai, by the adjustment of which the said washer can be caused to press tlie boss against the flange a* of the sleeve ai' with the requisite amount of force to obtain the necessary degree of frictional driving contact between said dial and sleeve, the said nut being retained in its adjusted position bv means of a set screw a2". The hollow spindle or sleeve fl ot' the following pointer is furnished with a toothed pinion f" gearing with a toothed wheel fz mounted on an axis pin f carried by the dial A; This toothed wheel j has a peripheral projection or stop f 3 which when the dial reaches the 5 zero position will come against the toothed pinion j? as shown at Fig.'6, thus preventing further relative motion in that direction between '.the dial and the following pointer.

On any further motion being given to either of the handles A F, the pressure will overcome the friction of the spring washer and the dial will slip relative7 to the sleeve j, so

that the rotary member of the transmitting iswitch will then revolve without movement being imparted to the said dial or the following pointer. By this means the rota transmitting switch can be actuated throng the gearing a e7 e1 or through the gearing f e according as the handle A2 or Fz is in operation, for bringing all the counti devices of the motorreceivers tozero, whi e the dial itself and the following pointer remain at zero.

Or instead of the above described arrangement,"y thespindle e-of the rotary member E of the transmitting switch may be adapted to be revolved by hand, for which purpose it is fori ned to receive a handle inserted through an o ening in the casing of the apparatus l whic i opening can be exposed by turning to one side a hinged shutter ci.' ln this case prior to moving the said rotarymember of the transmitting switch the secondary or reversing switch l would be turned into its' intermediate or cut out position shown in Fig. 2 so as to electrically disconnect all the electro-magnetic iclutches from the circuit. Whenrthe rotary member of the transmitting switch is actuated by the said handle, its spindle will revolve without meeting with 40 undue impediment from the toothed gearing e aljl owing to the fact that the pinions tf are able to turn freely with the bodyportions 'of the electro-ma netic clutches A" F" which cannot be excite by the current, owing to their being cut out of circuit by the position occupied by the secondary or reversing switch I.

The contacts m1 mzm3 m* m5 m to which the cable of wires Mx constituting the leads for the various motor-receivers, are connected on the inner side of a detachable terminal board or plate M, said contacts being of a resilient character' so that when the said terminal board is placed in position to cover the terminal box J, these contacts will bear against the aforesaid corresponding contacts y" j j" 7'4 j" that are situated within said terminal box and thus effect a satisfactory electrical connection therewith. By arranging the said contacts in two sets one of which is situated in the terminal boxJ and the other on the detachable terminal board M, a ready means-is provided for inspecting them without the necessity of detacliing their connecting wires.

The working of the apparatus is as fol-1 lows:-Let it .be assumed that the initial range between the gun and its target is 800 yards; the dial A would then be set into a position in which the figure 800 would a 70 pear in the uppermost perforation of t ie screen A". This would be ei'ectcd by first shifting the arm i of the secondary or reversing switch I towards the right so that it electrically connects the contact segments Il and I (Fig. 16) whereby the circuit through the electro-magnetic clutches Z13-A A7 would be closed through said switch. Then the dial handle A2 and its lever al would be grasped, with Ithe result that the movable contact h2 of the primary switch H would close the contacts h thereof by the movement of the sliding rod a". The said electromagnetic ciutches A3 A A7 would then be excited by the current so that upon turning 35 the said dial handle A2 in the proper direction, the rotary armature a7 would revolve the worm-a4 and cause the dial A to be rotated, until the figure 80() appearing at one of the aforesaid perforations o the screen A came opposite to the follower pointer. .At the same time the correction p ointer G would be actuated by the movement of the dial through the gearing a g7 g5 g4 g3 and the electro-magnetic clutch A7, until the said gointer reached the ligure 800 of its dial.'

imultaneously with thesel movements of the dial A and the 'correction pointer G, the rotary member E of the transmitting switch would be actuated through the bevel wheels 'a7 e", the electro-magnetic clutch Au and the gear wheels a e2 el, and cause the various motor-receivers to move their counting devices until the figure 800 was indicated by them.

This having been effected the 800 yards range would have been transmitted to all the guns, whose receiycrs are in circuit with the range keeper, so that the guns crews would know .at what ran e to set their sights. The secondary switch would now be moved towards the left, to electrically connect the contact segments T1 and I3, whereby the circuit through the aforesaid electro-magnetic clutches A A A7 would bc broken. The spring g2 would then return the correction 115 pointer G to zero owing to the fact that the electro-magnetic clutch A7 would cease to be excited and exert no lr'niger any magnetic hold upon the rotary armature with which said spring is connected. .The aforesaid movement of the secondary switch I would also cause the circuit' 'to be closed through the electro-magnetic clutches F3 F when the following pointer handle F2 and its lever fB were grasped and the sliding rod f6 shifted to 125 r cause the primary `switch H to be'closed. These electro-magnetic clutches would then be excited.

By .observing the relative speed or change of position between the target and the gun, 13o

the operator can ascertain what change of speed or direction of the range keeper or pointer is necessary to keep the same in correspondence with the alterations in the rage or distance of the gun from the target. If the range between the gun and its target is increasing, the range-keeper pointer B will be moving around the dial A in a direction from left to right, at a speed depending upon that at which the range is increasing, this speed being controlled by the handle Dl as hereinbefore described. Then the handle F2 would be turned in a direction to cause the pointer F to catch up to and to move in coincidence with the pointer B, this movement being transmitted to the pointer F through the worm gearin f f3. At the same time the rotary memer E of the transmitting switch would be caused to move to a corres'onding extent through the bevel wheels fs the clutchfo and the gearing f 9 e. The various motor-receivers would thus be further/ actuated to the necessary extent to cause their counting devices to add to their indicated range, the necessary amount to agree with that indicated on the dial A by the pointer B and the followingr )ointer F. If it becomes necessary to adtf to or subtract from the indicated range an amount greater or less than the increments due to the movement of the pointers B and F, the secondary switch I is moved towards the right, in order to throw out. of circuit the electro magnetic clutches F'd F6 and bring into circuit the electro-magnetic clutches A A A as aforesaid. The dial. handle A2 would then be turned to move the dial until the correction pointer G indicated on its dial the requisite number of yards required to be added to or subtracted from the range indicated on the dial A, the said handle being of course turned in one direction for adding to and in the .o posite direction for subtracting from the im icated range. It will be readily understood from what has already been stated above, that during this lnovement of the range dial the rotary transmitting switch also moves and thus causes the various motor-receivers to change the indications of their counting devices in accordance with the change effected in the indication on the dial A. As soon as the said dial handle is released the spring q2 returns the correction pointer to its zero position as aforesaid. The secondary switch I is then turned towards the left to again bring the electro-magnetic clutches F3 F into circuit and then by actuating the following point-er handle-l, the following pointer F can be caused to continue. to folloxv the pointer B as before and impart motion to the rotary transmitting switch for causing the various motor-receivers to be actuated and keep they indications of their counting devices in synchronism \\ith the indications of the traveling pointer B.

That we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:-

1. 1n electric signaling apparatus for guns the combination of a range-keeper situated at the sending station,l a transmitting switch operatively connected with the range-keeper vand adapted to be electrically connected with the various range indicating instruments sitnat-ed contiguous to the guns, and means for imparting motion to said transmitting sn itch in accordance n ith the variations in the range indicated by the range-keeper.

2. In electric signaling apparatus for guns, the` combination of a range-keeper situated at the sending station,Y a rotary transmitting switch adapted to be electric-ally connected with the various range indicating instruments situated contiguous to the guns, a range keeper dial means for angularly dislacing such dial a range-koe )er pointer, a ollowing pointer adapted to follow the movements of the range-keeper pointer, means for actuating said follo'vt ing pointer, and means for imparting motion to said rotary transmitting sv itch simultaneously with the movement imparted to the dial or the folloning pointer of the range-keeper.

3. In electric signaling apparatus for guns, the combinatitm of a range-keeper situated at the sending station7 a rotary transmitting sv itch adapted to be electrically connected with the various range. indicatingr instruments situated contiguous to the guns, a range keeper dial means for angularly displacing such dial a range-keemr pointer, a following point-er adapted to follony the movements of the range-kfmper pointer, means for actuating said following pointer, normally inoperative electro-magnetic clutches forming part of the aforesaid means for im )art ing motion to the. said dial or the said following pointer, means whereby either the said electro-magnetic clutches appertaining to the dial -actuating mechanism or the electromagnetic clutches appertaining to the following pointer mechanism are rendered operative, and means whereby the said electromagnetic clutches when thns rendered operative will impart motion to the said rotary transmitting switch simultaneously ith the movement imparted to the dial or the following pointer of the range-keeper.

4. In electric signaling apparatus for guns, the combination of a range-keeper situated at the sending station, n rotary transmitting switch adapted to be electrically connected with the various range indicating instruments situated contiguous to the guns, a range keeper dial means for angularly displacing such dial a range-kwper pointer, a ll'ollmving pointer adapted to follow the movements of the range-lueper pointer, means for actuating said following pointer, nornnl-lly inoperative electro-nmgnctic clutches forming part l of the aforesaid means l'onimparting motion to the said dial or the said following pointer,

electro-magnetic clutc s and the rotary transmitting switch, and a hand switch-for bringing one or other of said circuits into op-` erative relatlonship with its electro-magnetic clutches and the rotary transmitting switch.

In electric signalingapparatus for guns, the combination of a range-keeper situated at the sending station, a rotary transmitting switch adapted to be electrically connected with the various range indicating instruments situated contiguous to the guns, a range keeper dial, gearing for angularly displacing' such dial a range-keeper pointer, a following pointer adapted to follow the movements of the range-keeper pointer, gearing for actuating said following pointer, normally inoperative electro-magnetic clutches forming part of the aforesaid gearing for im arting motion to the said dial or the-said foliowing pointer, means whereby either the said electro-inagnetie clutches ap erta-ining to the dial actuating gearing or t 1e electro-magnetic clutches appertaining to the following pointer gearing are rendered operative, inde endent crank handles for driving either o said gearings throughhe intervention of the said electromagnetic clutches and means whereby the.

driving of said gearing will simultaneously ini-part motion to the said rotary transmitting switch.

6. In electric' signaling apparatus for guns, the combination of a range-keeper situated at the sending station, a rotary transmitting. switch adapted to be electrically connected with the various range indicating instruments situated contiguous to the guns, a range kee )er dial means for angularl-y displacing suc 1 dial a range-keeper pointer, a correction pointerl movable simultaneously with the range-keeper dial, a following pointer adapted to follow the lmovements of the range-keeper pointer, means for actuating said following pointer, and means for imparting motion to said rotary transmitting switch simultaneously with the movement imparted to the dial and thecorrection pointer or to the following pointer.

7. .In a combined range-keeper and rotary transmitting switch, a range keeper dial and following pointer, independen't wormwheels for actuating the said dial and pointer,- independent electro-magnetic clutches, vsleeves carrying the rotary members or armatures thereof and having worms gearing with the said worm wheels, hollow shafts carrying the body portions of saidiindependent electromagnetic clutches and extending through said sleeves, means for independently revolving said hollow shafts by hand, a primary switch for closing the circuits through either of said independent electro-magnetic clutches, means for actuating said primary switch when either of the means for independently revolving the hollow shafts is operated, means operatively connecting said independent electro-magnetic clutches with the rotary transmitting switch, and a secondary switch o erating to place one or other of said indepen ent electro-magnetic clutches into the circult including said primary switch.

8. In a combined range-keeper and rotary transmitting switch, a range keeper dial and following pointer, inde endent worm wheels for actuatlng the said ial and pointer, independent electro-magnetic clutches, sleeves carrying the rotary members or armatures thereof and having worms gearing with said worm wheels, hollow shafts carrying the -body portions of said independent electromagnetic clutches and extending through said sleeves, crank handles for independently revolving said hollow shafts, a primary switch for closing the circuits through either of saidl inde )endent electro-magnetic clutches, sliding ro( s extending through said hollowl shafts and engaging at their inner ends with the said primary switch, lever mechanism carried by said crank handles for actuating the sliding rods and closing the rimary switch in the act of grasping the craig( handles, means operatively connecting said independent electro magnetic clutches with theI rotary transmitting switch, and a secondary switch operating to place one or other of said independent electromagnetic clutches into the circuit including sai primary switch.

9. In a combined range-keeper and rotary transmitting switch, a rangekeeper dial and following pointer, inde endent worm wheels for actuating the said ial and pointer, independentelectromagnetic clutches, sleeves carrying the rotary members or armatures thereof and havin worms caring with said worm wheels, ho low sha ts carrying the magnetic clutches and which loosely carry their body portions, gear wheels connecting said body portions of the last mentioned electro-.magnetic clutches to thaforesaid rotary transmitting switch, a primar switch for closing the circuits through sai electromagnetic clutches, means for o erating said rimary switch when either of t y e means for independently revolving the hollow shafts is operated, and a secondary switch operating to plaee one or other pair of said geared Y notehes of said dishY pass theV said toothed rlutehes into tht` eirruit inrluding said priniarlv switeh.

lt. ln a eomhined range-keeper and rotary transmitting switehv th(` eombina-tion with an angularlv displaeeable range-keeper dial, of an elertroanagnetie eluteh having a body portion and a rotar v member or arma.- ture gearing eonnerting said dial to the bod v portion of the said eluteh, a pair of geared eleetro-magnetie elntrhes appertaining to the dial artuatfing meehanism arranged in eir. enit with the aforesaid. eluteh, a spindle loosel vrarlwingsaid body portion and ixedtv earrving the rota.r v member or armature of said elet'tro-magnetie eluteh, and a pointer mounted on said spindle and adapted to travel over a` graduated dial against the resistance, of springpressure.

1l. vIn a eomhined range-keeper and rotary transmitting switeh, the combination with an al'lgularlv displaeeable range-keeper dial. of an annular perforated sereen movable with said dial, a peripheral ring bearing several series of range graduations for exposure through the said perforated sereen, and means for automatirallv shifting said gradn' ated peripl'leral ring relativel)v to the dial .when the end of one series of graduations 1r ternatel \Y broad and narrow teeth and pivotall)v mounted on the said dial and gearing with theI aforesaid toothed wheel or segment, and a notehed or partially toothed disk with two diameters driven b v the movement of a following' pointer and operating to aetuatc Said toothed pinion eaeh time the teeth or pinion hut restraining movementl of said toothed pinion at oth-er times b v the broad teeth engaging' with the larger diameter.

l5. ln a eombined range-keeper and rotaiwY transmitting switeh, the eoinbination with an angularlv displaeeable rangel eeper dial and a worm wheel for at'tuating the same;l of means for trietionallv eonneeting said dial with said worm wheel, and means whereby when the range dial reaehes the zero position, the dial artnating gear is able to eontinue to drive the rotar transmitting' switeh without driving the dial.

14. ln a Combined Vratig'e-l\'eeper 'and rotary transiiiitting switeh. the combination with an aneularl) displaeeable range-keeper dial and a following' pointer, of worm gearing for indewndentlv driving said dial and said following' pointery a, worm. wheel forming part ot' sueh g'ezn'ing provided .with a flanged sleeve, a boss formed on said dial, a resilient washer mounted on said flanged sleeve and bearing against said boss of the dial to press it against said flanged sleeve, an adjustable eollar for regulating the degree of pressure exerted h v said resilient washer, a toothed pinion mounted on the sleeve lof the worm wheel of the following pointer gearing, a toothed wheel pivoted to the range dial and gearing with said toothed pinion, and a stop onsaid toot hed wheel adapted to bear against the toothed pinion when lthe dial is at its xeroposition and thus prevent the further move- Inent of the dial so that the worm gearing of either the dial or the following pointer eau then revolve the rotarjtv transmitting switeh without the dial or the following pointer.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presenee ol' two snhserihing' witnesses this seventeenth dav` oll .lanuary 1907.

ARTlll'l'( 'VRICYOR DAWSON.

GEORGE THOMAS ll'(l\'ll.\i\l.

W itnesses:

HENRY limo,

H. PETER VENN. 

